The Village Board started its October 3 meeting with a moment of silence for three local residents who have recently died — Menzo Mims, Sharon Roser and Betty Pfeffer. Mayor Joe D’Onofrio also asked for those in the audience to remember US soldiers and victims of the recent Florida hurricane.
The meeting continued with a report from the village’s cellular consultant, Clint Smith. Smith was there to answer questions regarding a proposed 65’ monopole that the Town of Highlands is looking to install on its highway garage, which is located on village property, as well as about the two cell antennas that have been installed on village property at the behest of the village — the Senior Center and Village Hall.
When the three are in place and operational, Smith said, in response to Deputy Mayor Dr. Melanie Guerrero’s question about whether we “really need all three” he said “yes”.
“Service will be way better than now,” Smith said. He noted that the local terrain creates “shadows” in cellular coverage, so the three working in tandem will provide much better coverage than just one large tower would
Attorney Scott Olson, representing Verizon, was at the meeting as well, and he noted that it is more expensive for Verizon to put up three units.
While the town tower is still in the planning stages — the board authorized “commencing the SEQRA (environmental review) process” on that project at its meeting — the two antennas in the villlage are expected to be operational before the end of the calendar year, Olson told the board.
In other matters before the board:
— $894,380.73 in bills was approved, with D’Onofrio noting $746,000 of that is for the Ondaora Park sewer project.
— In two personnel matters, the board appointed Lynae Mesaris as a full-time account clerk at $20 per hour (promoting her from her previous part-time status). Also, they accepted the resignation of part-time police officer Michael Sink.
— A request to use Roe Park for a ‘Thank you to our First Responders’ event was approved . It will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 1-6 p.m. and sponsored by the Highlands Youth Committee.
— A vote on moving forward with the Restore NY grant program for a Mountain Ave. property (refacing painted-over brick on the current salmon-colored building across from the Highland Falls Fire House) was approved. Guerrero voted no, commenting that the grant involves the village spending $25,000 “on a single private building” which she did not think was appropriate. In addition to the village share and the grant, the property owner is paying $73,750. The Restore NY grant was obtained quite a few years ago.
— Several questions were asked (by Michael Joyce and Pablo Pulido) about village Department of Public Works and Water Department positions. D’Onofrio said they could not answer the questions, “on the advice of our attorney” until after an executive session of the board that same evening.
The board meets next on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
